Her first instinct was to run, but considering that she had been caught.
It was futile.
She just leaned against the wall sheepishly and waited for what would happen next.
Her lungs were on the brink of giving up and her heart was pounding louder than a blacksmith’s hammer.
For a while, he just continued to sit in the steamy water before he finally reached for a towel.
Leisurely, he rose out of the water and wrapped the towel around his lower half, all the while keeping his back to her.
Then he turned around and stepped out of the water.
His eyes looked almost black in the light of the fire, but there was no mistaking the deadly look she saw there.
She was… finished.
Her marriage to Friedrich would be dissolved in a matter of days and she would be sent back to her parents in shame.
What had propelled her to do such a scandalous thing as to watch a man take a bath?
Her mother would faint on the spot if she heard such a tale and her father would instantly disown her.
His eyes finally met hers as he began ascending the stairs.
She could see the steam radiating off his sleek body.
Now, his chest was exposed to her view.
Eve gulped as she remained by the wall.
“What are you doing here?” His voice was menacingly cold, sending chills through her whole body.
Her lips parted but no words came out.
A heavy lump began forming in her throat as her eyes drifted down to the slick body in front of her.
Then, she forced her gaze to meet his.
“I… I thought this was the kitchens…” His lips curved into a cold smirk.
“This would have been the third strike, Lady Whitmore, but since I wronged you in a similar manner, consider my silence as your apology.
Outside that, I would not be so lenient.” Her pounding heart began to calm somewhat.
He was agreeing to overlook it?
“Thank… thank you, I am so lost in this big house.
I can hardly find my way back to my room.” She muttered, desperate to cling to her lie.
He stepped closer until his face was barely five inches away from hers.
She could see the droplets of water clinging to his long lashes like diamonds.
“I heard when you walked in.
If you had stumbled in by accident, you would have left immediately, Lady Whitmore.
Instead, I catch you trying to slip out like a thief.” Her face began to heat up.
“Very well.” Then without thinking, she reached for the towel wrapped around his waist.
He caught her hand before she could touch the fabric.
She met his gaze.
He looked calm… as if he had encountered much worse situations.
“You dare too much, Lady Whitmore.” Slowly, his grip on her wrist tightened.
“Unhand me.” She tried yanking her hand out of his grip to no avail.
“My lord.” A voice came from the servants’ entrance.
“I come bearing word from your brother.” Both of them stilled.
Then their eyes met.
His hand on hers fell away and he stepped back.
“This is your last warning.
Now, leave before you get caught.” Then spun around and descended the stairs.
For a moment, she stood there stunned before she flew out of the room in a flurry.
When she got to her room, she closed the door quietly and leaned against it.
“He must hate me now.” The memory of reaching desperately for his towel flashed in her mind and she swatted her forehead.
How could she even do such a thing?
“My God.” She slid down to the ground, carefully placing her limp hand on her lap.
And worst of all, she still did not know for certain if the rumours were true.
But… There had been no bulge or any such showing in his towel.
Could it really be that…?
Eve shook her head to clear the thought.
Even if they were still true, she still wanted him just as much.
She pressed her face against her knees and closed her eyes.
Her thoughts kept swirling until she fell asleep there.
The sound of something pounding against the wall below jerked her awake.
The golden rays of the sun filtered into the room through her transparent silk curtains, bringing the scent of the sea beyond along with it.
Slowly, she rose from the bed.
Wait, the bed?
When did she get up from the ground?
Her limp hand had even been placed in a cast once more.
It had to be him.
Eve immediately glanced down at herself.
It was obvious he didn’t ‘touch’ her, but her lips curved into a smile nonetheless.
“I would never understand him.” Just then, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in.” She sat upright and awaited the person.
The door slid open and the maid that had attended to her previously stepped into the room.
“Milady, Sir Theodore asked me to check if you are awake, and if so, to enquire from you if the noise from below is disturbing your slumber.” It had even woken her up… “No, not at all.
What is causing all the noise, if I may ask?” “The masons are trying to fix the damaged walls below.
Sir Theodore also asked me to enquire of you whether you would prefer to sit in the gardens and have breakfast since it is far away from the noise.” Sit in the gardens?
“Would I be dining alone?” “I have reason to believe so, Milady.
Sir Theodore is currently busy overseeing the work being done below.” Then she shook her head.
“I will remain here and suffer the noise then.
I find it hard to dine alone.” The maid nodded and left.
It was as if the noise got worse after the maid left.
The floor beneath her shook with the impact.
Eve slid down from the bed and went to brush her hair at the vanity table.
Her head ached from all the noise – which she could have avoided, a voice in her head said.
She rose from the table and intended to fetch a new dress from her cloth chest when a dizzy spell hit her.
Everetta nearly stumbled backwards.
She leaned heavily against the vanity table to support herself.
Eve didn’t even notice when the door was a thrust open.
“The last thing I want is to be accused of maltreating my brother’s soon-to-be wife, Lady Whitmore.” She glanced at the door and nearly stopped breathing.